ORIGIN

Kreool loved this new world he'd been born into. Even though playing with Arrh had proven harmful, the little blue tyke was still as lively as ever, now that he'd recovered. The bump and scrape on his head told the story, but the kid wasn't deterred. He swam on, and eventually decided to head to the cave his friend had called Pisces. There, he thought, he'd find some more aquatic friends. There, he thought, he'd find even more water to swim in. He'd asked the night before which tunnel led there from the river's basin, and Arrh had pointed it out, so off the little went, first thing the next day.

He was tiny compared to his monochromatic friend, so the journey was extra special. He had all the room in the world to swim and spin and flounce about, Soon, the tunnel opened up. Kreool powered into the open space of the lagoon with some decent speed, zipping past the waterfall's current and into the open, stiller water. Once centered, he rose and poked his head out of the water, inhaling as he did.

It was colder here. That was the first thing he noticed. It was also dimmer, with less glowing stones and more of those yellow lights high above- he believed Arrh had called them stars. He could heard the scuffle of life nearby, but from his place in the center of the water's depth, he couldn't make out any other creatures. So, determined to meet someone new, Kreool called out for the first time above water.

Rrrreeeeeeoooooooooooo---! His voice echoed, a soothing call, like whale song but clearer, not so loud. It wouldn't carry very far, but at least he'd announced his arrival. There was no movement beneath the water, so he wondered if those friends Arrh had mentioned had perhaps found another place to stay.

As if as an afterthought, he ducked below the surface and repeated his call, just to be sure.

He hadn't meant to disappear just as someone arrived, but sure enough, when he glanced back up towards the surface, he caught the glimmer of movement above. He followed it and rose carefully when he saw how tiny the other creature was. She spoke, but he didn't understand- not at first. Seeing her on the land, and his own being mostly submerged- save for the top of his head, so he could breath through high-set nostrils- the little one because curious. Why is she above the water? Can I be there too? He looked at her feet, then down at his own claws. Arrh doesn't have claws. Maybe I'm meant for both? He sank back below the surface without a word or another glance.

His form sank beneath the filtered light of the pool, but his shadowy movement could likely still be seen from above as he swam in a circle then headed for shore, a few feet from Bevy. Kreool had to get a quick pace before he shot from the water and half-way onto land, much easier than jumping over rocks.

It felt weird, not being submerged. He was heavy, but not too heavy. With a heave, he hoisted himself the rest of the way and turned to face the little bird, bright eyes filled with excitement. A churning rose in his throat, like a rattling hum.

"Eeeeaaaakiki?" He whirled, tilting his head to one side. "Eki koo eeeeaaaakiki areeh?" Another tilt of his head, the other way. "Areeh e Kreool." He placed a claw on his chest and patted, as if to introduce himself. "Kreool!"

Kreool was delighted when the little bird made similiar sounds back at him, copying his name. Yes, Kreool! He chittered in delight, bobbing his head in an excited nod. Then, with the utmost attention, he listened to her introduce herself. Calypso. He blinked, and then tried the new sound on his tongue.

"Khaaah... Kallliiiip...." The expressions he made as he tried were comical, scrunching and stretching muscles never used before. "Sooo. Kaali..." No, that wasn't going to work. He scrutinized the bird, upper fangs nibbling bottom lip in concentration. There had to have been a water speak word for it. "Iipsi!" He finally decided, clapping his claws against the rocky floor in triumpth. "Kreool aaraa Iipsi oooara liiraa!" Another bob of his head to confirm his proclamation, then suddenly, there was a distraction behind them.

He turned to watch a small gray Arrh dance out of the water, spin, and slip flawlessly back in. Excitement coarsed through him and he whirled on the land, maw agape with a toothy grin. The new gray Arrh popped back up with plenty to say in plenty of squealy clicks and giggles. Kreool scurried closer, dragging his tail behind him until he lay straight, with his nose close enough to almost touch Eeya.

This new friend knew Iipsi, and called her by another name. Bevy? That sounded even harder to say. Kreool decided, until he figured out this land-speak thing, he'd stick with calling her Iipsi. The gray Arrh's name was Eeya- OH! Oh, he'd heard that name before! The realization had him bouncing.

"Eeya! Eeya! Kreool eeeeaaaakiki Eeya! Eeya kiaa Arrh, Arrh kiaa Kreool! Kriaaa eekiikii kiaa Arrh, Eeya! Kreeol aaraa keiaa!" He cheered, going so far as to slip back into the water and swirl around to Eeya's other side, head poking back out a second later.

"Eeya! Iipsi!" He sang, bobbing side to side in the water with the flicks of his tail. This was just such a great day!